One Month and Counting: Solar Eclipse Visible From Everywhere in North AmericaBecome a Citizen Scientist During the Eclipse, Using the GLOBE Phone AppHelp Scientists Study What Happens When Earth Goes Dark During the Solar Eclipse

One of the most anticipated solar eclipses in history is just a month away. The August 21 solar eclipse provides a unique opportunity to study our planet and what happens when Earth goes dark during an eclipse. It’s also an opportunity for what may be the largest citizen science project of all time.

On that Monday, the moon’s shadow will darken the sky, causing temperatures to drop and stars to become visible in the normally day lit sky. This brief hiccup in the usual day-night cycle changes the amount of energy an area gets from the sun.

NASA scientists hope to learn just how much Earth’s environment changes during this historic eclipse and they need help from your viewers! Using the GLOBE Observer phone application, curious eclipse onlookers can become citizen scientists. This resulting data will help us better understand the important relationship between the sun and Earth.

Join NASA scientists on Friday, July 21 from 6:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. ET to find out where your viewers can see the eclipse and how they can participate, whether they’re viewing from the path of totality or not!

Everyone in North America (weather dependent) will experience an eclipse, one of nature’s rarest shows – even those outside the path of totality. For the first time since 1918, the dark shadow of the moon will sweep coast-to-coast across the United States, putting 14 states in the path of totality and providing a spectacular view of a partial eclipse across all 50 states.

Suggested Questions:1. What’s going to happen one month from today? [answer includes safety information]2. Why is this eclipse special to NASA?3. How can our viewers participate?4. We live on a solar powered planet. How does energy from the sun impact Earth?5. Where can we learn more?

Extra Questions for Longer Interviews:6. Tell us about the new mission NASA is preparing to launch that will continue to collect information on the sun-Earth relationship.7. Can solar eclipses be seen from other planets and what do they look like?8. An eclipse is a type of transit. How can astronomers use transits to detect planets orbiting other stars?